PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Was it sending a message or was it what the Steelers reported after practice? Officially Cam Heyward did not practice on Thursday because he got a veteran’s day off.
Throughout most of training camp Heyward was a hold-in, meaning he wouldn’t do team drills. Then it went to where he wouldn’t do any drills, but still was at practice and involved, just didn’t participate. Once the team moved back to the South Side, he has mostly been a full participant, until Thursday.
Heyward was not available for comment. The team has one more day of practice and retains its policy of not negotiating, changing or signing contracts once the regular season begins. Famously Troy Polamalu signed his new deal as the plane was taking off the day before the opener. So, there are still a few days, but the clock is ticking.
Earlier in the day defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and linebacker Alex Highsmith both said they expected Heyward to play Sunday against the Jets.
Outside linebacker Nick Herbig remained a limited participant in practice as he attempts to come back from a hamstring injury.